Visitors to the Tidal Basin walk beneath pink "clouds" during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

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Pictured: Washington Monument through the Japanese Stone Lantern

The Washington Monument soars above the blossoming cherry trees that ring the Tidal Basin in springtime.

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Pictured: DC Dragon Boat Races

Teams compete along the Potomac River in Georgetown during the annual DC Dragon Boat Festival.

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Pictured: Flags of the DC Dragon Boat Races

Flags representing a crew wave alongside the "Stars and Stripes" at the annual DC Dragon Boat Festival, a popular multicultural celebration.

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Pictured: Capital Fringe Festival performance

Since 2005, the Capital Fringe Festival has drawn more than 100 cutting-edge performing artists to theaters across DC.

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Pictured: National Memorial Day Parade

The National Memorial Day Parade attracts more than 250,000 patriotic Americans to honor those who have sacrificed through service to our country.

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Pictured: Watching the Memorial Day Parade

The National Memorial Day Parade attracts more than 250,000 patriotic Americans. Among the best places to watch are the steps of the Library of Congress.

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Pictured: The National Mall's "Screen on the Green"

A summertime tradition: Free flicks are shown on the National Mall as part of Screen on the Green on designated Monday evenings. Blankets and picnics are a must.

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Pictured: Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Each summer, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival turns the National Mall into a museum of living history, with storytelling, music, dance and craft, welcoming more than a million people.

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Pictured: Smithsonian Folklife Festival

For 10 days in summer, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival draws a million people to the Mall to experience storytelling, music, dance, cookery and craft.

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Pictured: Holiday season at Union Station

A train depot and leisure destination, Union Station welcomes 32 million travelers a year. Its December holiday train display uses state-of-the-art electronics to recreate the sounds, lights and smoke of their real-life counterparts nearby.

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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival

Drag queens add sass to the annual Capital Pride parade, the center piece of the annual ten-day GLBT celebration. An estimated 100,000 people turned out for the parade and another 250,000 for the street festival in 2012.

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Pictured: Marathoners at the Capitol

DC boasts one of the prettiest race routes in the country. Every year, runners gather in DC for races such as the Marine Corps Marathon, Army Ten-Miler and the Nation's Triathlon.

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Pictured: Marine Corps Marathon

In October, thousands of runners descend on DC for the Marine Corps Marathon. Both soldiers and civilians run in this grueling, yet inspiring, road race.

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Pictured: Downtown Holiday Market

For 24 days in December, Penn Quarter's Downtown Holiday Market hosts more than 60 vendors displaying jewelry, pottery, paintings, textiles and more - including freshly made donuts!

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Pictured: Downtown Holiday Market

For 24 days in December, Penn Quarter's Downtown Holiday Market hosts more than 60 vendors displaying jewelry, pottery, paintings, textiles and other great gift ideas.

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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival

The GLBT Capital Pride Festival in June takes place in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol Building.- Photo by dctim1

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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival

The Capital Pride Festival, celebrating the GLBT community, takes place every summer in Washington, DC. In 2012, more than 250,000 people joined the street festival.- Photo by Mr. T in DC

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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival during summertime

The annual summer Capital Pride Weekend in June features a festival on Pennsylvania Avenue that celebrates the GLBT community with dancing, dining, drinking and education.- Photo by Capital Pride Alliance, Inc.

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Pictured: FedEx Field

Located just outside the city in Landover, MD, FedEx Field is home to the burgundy and gold Redskins, as well as many other high-profile events and concerts.

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Pictured: DC Jazz Festival

Music lovers flock to Washington each summer to attend the annual DC Jazz Festival, featuring up to 100 performances across more than 60 venues.- Photo by Ronald H. Green

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Pictured: Union Station decked out for the holidays

Decked out for the December holidays, Union Station looks especially welcoming. The Beaux Arts train depot and leisure destination welcomes 32 million travelers to DC who arrive by Amtrak, MARC, luxury buses and Metro.

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Pictured: Halloween in Georgetown

One of the most popular spots for celebrate Halloween, Georgetown draws costumed revelers and people watchers alike.- Photo by ep_jhu

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Pictured: Taste of DC

Taste of DC

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Pictured: National Independence Day Parade

National Independence Day Parade

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Pictured: Nationals Park

NL East Division Champs in 2012, the Washington Nationals have become a team to watch. Nats Stadium offers an exciting game day experience with local food vendors, good views and the popular Racing Presidents.

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Pictured: Nationals Park

Photo

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Pictured: The National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse

The holiday season in DC kicks off with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse. The First Family joins a high-profile list of musical entertainers for a nationally broadcast tree lighting ceremony in early December.

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Pictured: The National Menorah

The Pageant of Peace on the White House Ellipse also includes the National Menorah. An official lighting ceremony signals the start of Chanukah, followed by the lighting of a candle throughout each night of the holiday.

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Pictured: Septime Webre's The Nutcracker at Warner Theatre

Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker at the historic Warner Theatre is set in 18th century DC with “George Washington” as the heroic Nutcracker, waltzing cherry blossoms mingling with dancing sugar plums and sets featuring DC skylines.- Photo by
Brianne Bland

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Pictured: Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden transforms into an ice skating rink full of holiday cheer from mid-November through mid-February every year (weather permitting).

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Pictured: Holidays at the Willard InterContinental

The historical Willard InterContinental Hotel pulls out all the stops for the holiday season. In 2012, they’ve partnered with the White House Historical Association to display the White House Ornaments on their lobby tree.

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Pictured: "Seasons Greenings" at the U.S. Botanic Gardens

The U.S. Botanic Gardens showcases an environmentally friendly DC with its annual “Seasons Greenings.” The exhibit features plant-based models of DC's iconic landmarks, an expansize collection of poinsettias and one of DC's largest indoor decorated trees.

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Pictured: The National Cherry Blossom Parade

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is one of DC’s most popular events, drawing 100,000 spectators from around the world each spring. Filled marching bands, floats and balloons, it is a springtime celebration in itself!

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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of Korea

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, known as the Korus House, is located on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest DC. It is one of more than 40 embassies participating in the Around the World Embassy Tour.- Photo by Walter Woodward

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Pictured: Passport DC

Passport DC annually offers the Around the World Embassy Tour, which allows visitors to explore more than 40 embassies in the District. The tour lets visitors experience international art, film, dance, food and music.

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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt is located on International Court in Northwest DC, an area that features numerous foreign embassies. Visitors can sample foreign cultures throughout Passport DC, including food and drink.

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Pictured: Passport DC

Passport DC is an annual month-long celebration occurring each May that celebrates more than 100 international events and activities around the District. Numerous embassy tours are offered, along with international festivals, performances and workshops.- Photo by Don Tanguilig

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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia

The Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia can be found on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest DC. The avenue features more than 15 embassies that will be included on the Around the World Embassy Tour.- Photo by Walter Woodward

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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of Ireland

The Embassy of Ireland is shown here in "Shortcut to Europe: E.U. Embassies' Open House." This event allows visitors to experience the culture of 28 nations in the European Union, with embassies open for touring.

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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of Nepal

The Embassy of Nepal is located on 34th Place in Northwest DC, and is a participant in the Around the World Embassy Tour. Participating countries display music, dance, art and more.

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Pictured: Ryan Zimmerman bats for the Nationals

Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has made headlines for his defensive plays that have helped lead the Washington Nationals to victory - and helped pack seats at Nationals Park each summer.- Photo by Washington Nationals

The most important part of any Independence Day is where you’re going to watch the fireworks. We have just the spots to optimize your view so you catch all the booming flashes and cascades of red, white and blue.